Letters to the Editor for Jan. 25, 2013

History has told us that early man used to work out their frustrations with fellow men by throwing rocks at each other in an effort to maim, hurt or kill their foes.

We have advanced far beyond such weaponry as bows and arrows, spears, and muskets until we now have the capability to wipe out large areas such as cities, and soon will be able, no doubt, to destroy civilization.

We have abhorred weapons of mass destruction — indeed fought a war convinced such existed — yet we have contributed vast amounts of money and effort to make such a thought fact.

Who will use our technology to make such arms to use as they wish? Will we be capable forever of controlling the world’s ambitions to achieve power?

What next?

Don Pixley

Ocala

Rights, safety can coexist

Common sense can win a discussion if you think through the issue of who can and who should be able to own a gun. The Second Amendment is as strong as ever, and our government supports the rights of its citizens to own and use firearms.

The far right and the National Rifle Association are shouting as loud as they can that the president wants to eliminate the Second Amendment and take away all guns. A thinking person can understand that the government is not trying to take guns away from responsible gun owners.

There are those in responsible positions in our government who are saying that the gun problem is complex and multi-faceted, but they are just clouding the issue.

The truth is that the president is proposing a ban on assault weapons and gun clips that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

Who needs a military-style assault weapon strapped on their shoulder to show how tough they are? These people are promoting actions against the safety of our children.

There are some things Congress can do to safeguard our country, such as background checks on anyone before they can purchase any kind of weapon.

We should not be afraid to go shopping, walk the streets, go to ball games; in other words, to be free to live our lives the way we want to. Our children should be safe to attend school with minimal care such as keeping all doors and windows locked from the inside and possibly cameras on the buildings.

The government can pass laws to buy back these assault weapons and large ammo clips for those willing to turn in these weapons to proper authorities. The time has come to be serious about this man-made problem.

Jerry Segovis

Ocala

Don’t disarm us

Guns, guns, guns. We’ve got to get rid of all the guns. We keep hearing about using common sense about guns, but so far common sense seems to be pretty uncommon regarding this issue.

How does someone go from being a rational individual one minute to an irrational murdering person the next? I don’t know the answer to this question, but I do know this: Sandy Hook could have been caused by someone using a car, explosives, chemicals or other devices. So the gun is actually the symptom of the problem, not the cause.

Could the cause be the violent video games and movies our society has decided fall under the censorship cloud? How about the general lack of respect and dishonesty many seem to display, and by doing so, teach our children that doing so is acceptable.

Taking away a law-abiding citizen’s gun creates several problems: It makes any of us a sitting duck for any of those in our society who just have to get their 15 seconds of fame. Also, should our government ever decide to become irrational and want to take our guns away ... oh wait, our elected officials want to do that now.

Keep in mind government officials, you are the ones we’re trying to protect ourselves from. Those of us who are still rational have no desire to become like the other historical nations that have been disarmed.

James Niemeyer

Ocala

Armstrong and Clinton

The map of lies and deceit in the political cartoon “The Tour de Lance” could have been drawn about former President Clinton’s lies and deceit. I wonder if Lance Armstrong will be named “Father of the Year” in 10 years by some obscure left-leaning organization?

Jean Gilman

Ocala

Liking ‘Drive’

I would like to thank you for your new “Drive” section included in the Friday edition. I teach a class on auto design and classic cars in Marion County. The passionate car guys and gals who attend this class will greatly appreciate the “Drive” section.

Retirees are at the time in their lives when they can make their dreams come true. Many of these dreams are of cars they fell in love with in the 1950s and ’60s. Now is the time when they have the money to buy these cars.

Keep up the good work, and keep “Drive” coming.

Tom Idziak

Ocala

Health care advice

In regards to the Jan. 23 letter, “Let’s run the numbers”: $3 billion divided by 10 years is $300 million a year; $300 million divided by 900,000 families is $334; and $334 divided by 12 months is $27.83.

So, for $27.83 a month, an uninsured family can be brought into managed health care.

Then the federal government picks up 100 percent of the first three years and 90 percent thereafter. So 10 percent of $27.83 is $2.79. A Florida family would be covered by health insurance at a cost of $2.79 a month.

A family health plan for a monthly premium of $2.79? Where do I send the check?